Republicans Will Lead House Transportation Committee Post-Election

The House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will look very different when the 112th Congress convenes in January with 18 Democrat committee members having lost in the midterm elections to Republican challengers. In the Senate, all of the Senators serving on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee either won re-election or were not up for re-election this year.

Committee Chair James Oberstar (D-MN), who had served in Congress since 1974, lost a close race to former Northwest Airlines pilot Chip Cravaack (R-MN). Congressman Oberstar would have lost his chairmanship even had he won re-election with the Republicans gaining the majority in the House.

Other Democrats who serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure committee that were ousted by Republican challengers include Michael A. Arcuri (NY), John A. Boccieri (OH), Christopher P. Carney (PA), John J. Hall (NY), Phil Hare (OL), Steve Kagen (WI), Betsy Markey (CO), Michael E. McMahon (NY), Harry E. Mitchell (AZ), Solomon P. Ortiz (TX), Thomas S.P. Perriello (VA), Mark H. Schauer (MI), Gene Taylor (MI), Harry Teague (NM), and Dina Titus (NV). Democrat Brian Baird of Washington did not run. His House seat was won by Republican Jaime Herrera.

Boccieri, Hall, Mitchell, McMahon, Oberstar, Ortiz, Perriello, Schauer, and Titus each have been serving on the aviation subcommittee. Subcommittee chair Jerry Costello, (D-IL) won his re-election and is likely to assume the role of Ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee. Most Republican committee members won re-election, including ranking committee member Congressman John Mica (FL) and Aviation Subcommittee ranking member Congressman Tom Petri (WI). Congressman Mica is expected to assume the Chairmanship of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Congressman Petri is likely to become Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee.

FMI: http://trasnportation.house.gov